August 2009 Blog Archive
Friday, August 21, 2009
Mummy Scan
Stanford has recently utilized a CT scan to diagnose the death, life, and preservation of a 2,500 year old mummy. By looking beyond the wraps and mummification, researchers can look for details in the mummy's body that may unlock answers to questions about ancient Egypt.
"What we're trying to do is merge science, culture, history, medicine, art - it gives us an opportunity to incorporate modern techniques and procedures along with one of the oldest things in our collections," said the curator of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco to Mercury News.
The scan results made researchers question the actual age of the mummy at the time of death. The information was then compared to other mummy data collected over the years. This is Stanford's second mummy to be scanned in their radiology department.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Matching Patients with Therapy
Diagnostic scans may prove to be useful in correctly identifying treatments for lung cancer patients. Scans help locate mutations and growth of tumors. By locating the specific mutations, different drugs can be prescribed that will be the most effective.
"Given the fact that the cost of these drugs is exceedingly high ... I think we have to use them in selective subtypes, the ones most likely to respond. If you can select out the right subtype, that is an important finding, and an important cost savings as well" reports one doctor to Reuters.
Doctors examined the specific mutation EGFR, known as the epidermal growth factor receptor. Patients that had the mutation were more likely to react positively to certain drugs. For other patients without his mutation, chemotherapy was proved to be more effective. Knowing this information can help lung cancer patients avoid expensive drugs that may not help their disease or harsh chemotherapy treatments that could have been avoided.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Chinese Medicine for Heart Disease
The University of Texas Health Science Center has recently embarked on a study to determine the effect on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on heart health. TCM usually includes acupuncture, herbal remedies, and massage. The study focused on Chinese herbs and their effect on lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow to the heart.
The study's lead author told EMaxHealth that Chinese herbs "have profound nitric oxide bioactivity primarily through the enhancement of nitric oxide in the inner walls of blood vessels, but also through their ability to convert nitrite and nitrate into nitric oxide."
The Chinese herbs released constriction on the blood vessels when studied for their nitric oxide component. These herbs are considered alternative medicine and are not regulated by the FDA. However, their health qualities for preventing heart disease may prove to be a more natural option for patients looking for an alternative to western medications.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Using a Scan to Gauge Responses
Not knowing the end to a scary movie increases the suspense. Going along with this idea, uncertainty about the economy can also increase a person's anxiety level. Scientists recently studied the association between uncertainty and anxiety with the use of a brain scan. A study by the UW Madison School of Medicine and Public Health has utilized the MRI scan to track emotional responses by participants in response to negative stimuli. Participants were told the images they were to see would be positive, negative, or unknown. Those images which directly followed an "unknown" warning showed the largest reaction in the brain.
"These results have obvious relevance to our current economic times. Expectations have a dramatic impact on many aspects of our lives, including performance at work and school, interpersonal relationships and health. Expectations can alter perceptions of negative events as well as neural and emotional responses" reports the study leader to Science Daily.
The results showed that if a person was told the image they would see was going to be negative, their response to a disturbing image was less than if they had no idea what type of image they would see next. If a person is expecting a negative outcome, they are better able to cope with less anxiety. The brain is a complex organ that is continually studied by scientists. Using scanning technology allows scientists the ability to track activity in the brain and better understand physical and emotional responses.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Scans to be Part of Healthcare Reform
New healthcare reforms are currently under discussion in regards to the utilization of medical imaging scans. These reforms may limit the Medicare payments for these tests. As a result, the number of tests completed may decrease. The use of diagnostic imaging has gained popularity in the past few years, even despite recent reports that over-scanning can be harmful to one's health.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the legislation under review will increase the assumed percentage of patients being prescribed the scans from 50% currently to 75%. If this occurs, critics believe that Medicare will pay less for patient scans due to the higher utilization rate. Critics say that boosting the assumed utilization rate will hurt smaller hospitals were the equipment is used less frequently.
The legislation may restrict medical imaging, but is not intended to halter technological growth. Critics of the legislation believe that growth in technology and use is being confused for over-utilization. Both sides of the issue will be speaking out as the legislation comes closer to being finalized.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Chocolate Is Good For the Heart
Those who have suffered from a heart attack may get some sweet advice. Eating chocolate two or three times a week may cut the risk of developing heart disease by three fold. The study is featured in the September issue of the Journal of Internal Medicine. The main ingredient in chocolate (cocoa) has been found to lower blood pressure and protect the body from molecules that may build up over time leading to heart disease.
Kenneth Makamal, co-author of the study, explained the results of the study to AFP News. "It was specific to chocolate -- we found no benefit to sweets in general. It seems that antioxidants in cocoa are a likely candidate."
Chocolate may be the key to a healthy heart, but consumers should not get carried away. Chocolate should always be eaten in moderation to ensure a healthy balanced diet. For those dealing with weight issues, consult a physician before adding as chocolate routine to your diet.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The Study of Sound
A scan of the brain can help detect abnormalities and help diagnose disease. The technology is also being used in other arenas, such as mapping of brain functioning. Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute recently examined the brain's neural systems in regards to processing images and sounds.
"It turns out that the brain uses the same strategy to encode sounds than it uses to encode different images. This may make it easier for people to combine sounds and images that belong to the same object, such as the dribbling of a basketball" explains the study leader at the Montreal Neurological Institute.
Participants in the study underwent an FMRI, a functional magnetic resonance imaging test, in order to examine brain reactions. Researchers want to understand how the brain decodes information including sounds. The future of such research is still unknown. Researchers hope one day to be able to analyze brain patterns and possibly even reconstruct dreams.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Don't Ignore the Signs
One's ability to hear may decrease as they age. However, these symptoms may not always be the case of old age. A Chicago woman dismissed her one-sided hearing as a product of aging, but became worried when her face began to tingle. Once scanned with an MRI, doctors were able to diagnose a benign brain tumor.
"Too often, seemingly minor hearing loss is trivialized and ignored. If it is in one ear in a person at midlife, that can be a sign of a tumor growing" explains one doctor to the Chicago Tribune.
The woman had an acoustic neuroma, a brain tumor on a cranial nerve leading to the inner ear. According to the Chicago Tribune, over 2,500 people in the US are diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma each year. People should be aware of signs their body sends to identifying a problem within their system.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Advances for Cervical Cancer
A positron emission tomography (PET) scan may help those dealing with cervical cancer track the progression of the disease. With this knowledge, doctors will have a better understanding of proper treatments they can offer to their patients.
The Sun Journal reports, "In some studies, researchers treated cancer patients with chemotherapy drugs, and within days, they were able to use PET scans to see whether the drug is working or a different type of treatment was needed."
The PET scans can also help rule out harsh therapies that may not be able to cure a patient. Tumors are able to be tracked to see if they are progressing, or if therapy has had an effect on the tumor size. The scan is still being tested for the use in cancer studies and may be used more frequently if the tests continue to show results.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Scan for Mesothelioma
Researchers are now saying that a combination of computed tomograph and positron emission tomography may be best for scanning for mesothelioma. The CT-PET test may help stage the disease better than an MRI or just a CT scan. By doing this, patients may be able to avoid invasive surgery that may not be necessary.
"CT and MRI scans are used to stage mesothelioma patients, but research shows they are not very accurate at determining how far mesothelioma has spread. As a result, 25% of patients undergo invasive surgery for cancer that cannot be removed surgically" researchers report to Surviving Mesothelioma.
For those with the disease, invasive surgery such as extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) surgery may be needed. During surgery, the entire lung, lining of the heart, and diaphragm are removed. Patients scanned with a CT-PET scan may allow doctors a better chance at correcting diagnosing if a patient's cancer will be cured by the EPP surgery. More tests are still being conducted to confirm the research results, however the scan is already being used by many diagnostic centers nationwide.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Gallbladder Scan
There are many diagnostic scans available to help determine the source of medical problems and to assess the best treatment options. A gallbladder scan is suggested for patients whose symptoms (such as jaundice) may be the cause of a dysfunction in the gallbladder. During the test, a radioactive fluid is injected into the arm vein. The scanner can then detect how the fluid is circulating through the body, liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts. The test takes about 2 hours, with the participant lying very still. After the fluid is dispersed in the body, a cholecystokinin will be injected to stimulate the gallbladder. Pictures will be taken during the scan to assess if the gallbladder if functioning properly.
According to the Examiner, "the results are generally given in a percentage, as in the percentage of solution that is released in the time given. Most doctors feel that anything below 35%-40% is a sign of gallbladder dysfunction, with 70%-75% being normal." After assessing the results, physicians may choose to operate and remove the gallbladder if they deem necessary.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Veteran Lung Scan
Over 500 New Mexico veterans have signed on for a new program to scan for early detection of lung cancer. Biomoda Inc, the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services, and the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology are all involved in this state-funded screening based on new technology by Biomoda. The veteran participants are screened with Biomoda's CyPath(r) technology and then the results are compared to CT scans and PAP stains.
"This study will help us move the CyPath(r) technology closer to FDA approval and commercialization, bringing a non-invasive, accurate, and inexpensive tool for detecting cancer to market. The health benefits of the Biomoda diagnostic are obvious and have worldwide implications" explained the president of Biomoda.
Over 100 of the participants have already been screened. Veterans and the armed forces have an increased risk of developing lung cancer. One purpose of the study is to spread awareness to veterans of the importance for early detection of the disease and hopefully find a more efficient method to do so.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Breast CT Scan
A new CT Scan used to detect cancerous breast tumors is currently being tested as an alternative to a traditional mammogram. For the test, women lay on their stomach with their breasts placed within two holes in the scanning table. The CT scanners rotate around the breasts from underneath the table. Women participants have noted that this is more comfortable position and scanning method than a mammogram.
The scan is being tested at UC Davis and the "breast CT is still experimental for diagnosis" says the research leader to US News & World Report. More tests need to be conducted before widespread use of this new scanning technology.
However, there are some drawbacks. The test could not be used by women with small breasts that cannot drop down in the specified holes. Also, tumors that are not close to the nipple may not be able to be detected from this type of CT scan. These are issues being tested and more research will be conducted in the coming months
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
CEO Saved By Own Scan
The CEO of Mountain Vista Medical Center decided to participate in a discounted scan promotion his hospital was running to show support. In truth, it may have saved his life. The hospital was running a promotion on a CT scan called HeartView for under a hundred dollars. Once scanned, the CEO was shocked to know he had an abnormality in his aorta.
Not knowing of this childhood heart condition, the CEO had calcium deposits on his arteries and he was at high risk for heart disease. Now he is managing his weight and watching his blood pressure. He says the scan saved his life, and has even had his whole family scanned as a result. Such scans can detect heart related issues early, making treatment easier and more effective.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Doctors Performing Own Scans
Many doctors today are investing in diagnostic imaging technology to have within their own office. As a result, the number of self-referred scans has increased in the past few years. Patients are being scanned in their physician's office immediately instead of waiting for a diagnostic center. Although this is more convenient for the patient, many critics believe that self-referral needs to be regulated.
The Washington Post found that one Iowa urologist increased from 8 scans prescribed to 55 scans. "The increase came in the months after the urologists bought their own CT scanner. Instead of referring patients to radiologists, the doctors started conducting their own imaging -- and drawing insurance reimbursements for each of those patients."
Another criticism of self-referral is the health risks associated. New studies show there may be a cancer risk if too many radiation scans are prescribed. The new democratic healthcare reform is addressing many issues and there may be more regulation in years to come.
